Growing up, Joseph Tielemans looked forward to every Labour Day weekend when the trucks would drive through Milton hauling the big steam-powered tractors to the fairgrounds, not far from his house.
The sheer size of these machines was impressive, but what really caught Tielemans' attention was the engines that powered them.
“The sides of the tractors were open, so you saw everything, you saw the flywheels, the gears and belts,” he said. “There was a lot happening.”
Fifty years later, Tielemans has not lost that fascination with what seemed like giant machines to him. Today, he is the president of the Ontario Steam and Antique Preservers Association, which will present the annual Steam Era show that captivated him as a 10-year-old.
This year’s show runs from Aug. 30-Sept. 2 at Hume’s Auction Farm, 9313 Fourth Line. More than 250 pieces of vintage farm and construction equipment will be on display, with many demonstrations giving a glimpse into the past. Included this year will be a grader that was used during the original construction of the QEW.
“A lot of these tractors and equipment, there’s not a lot of them anymore,” Tielemans said. “It’s a part of history and we have it up and running.”
There will also be truck and tractor pulls over the weekend, a classic car show and a display of military equipment. In addition, there will be a kids' zone with games and activities.
Tielemans’ father was a carpenter, so he inherited a love of building things, but the tractors steered him in a different direction.
His neighbour had a lathe and would allow him to use it and Tielemans eventually became a tool maker. He still uses his skills to make parts for various pieces of machinery to help restore them when replacement parts can’t be salvaged from other pieces of equipment.
“You can really appreciate the workmanship it took to create these machines,” he said. “Even now, it’s difficult to do. The craftsmanship and skills they had to do everything then was incredible.”
Admission to the show is $15 or $10 for Local 793 members and their guests. Children 12 and under get in for free.